Welcome, friend—I’m glad you’ve pulled up a chair on the front porch of my little corner of the internet. My name is Michael Joe Harvell, and I live my life with one simple mission: to glorify God, encourage people, and leave this world a little better than I found it. I’m a husband, father, pastor, writer, Jeep enthusiast, and front-porch thinker who believes that life is best lived on purpose. I serve as pastor of Eureka Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina, where I get the joy of preaching, teaching, and walking with people through the ups and downs of everyday life. Over the years, I’ve discovered that faith isn’t just about Sunday mornings—it’s about living every single day in the presence and power of God. I’m also an author. My books—including The Grace Exchange: How Forgiven People Forgive People and The Word Works—grow out of the sermons, stories, and lessons I’ve learned on this journey. I write in a style that’s conversational, a little front-porch-rocking-chair, and full of stories, quotes, and Scripture that point us back to the goodness of God’s Word. When I’m not writing or preaching, you might find me sitting outside with my Bible and journal, cruising the backroads in my Jeep Gladiator, or sharing a meal and some laughs with the good folks God has put in my life. I love helping people find peace in their spirit, strength in their body, and encouragement in their soul. This blog is simply an extension of that mission. Here you’ll find devotions, encouragement, reflections, and practical insights for living a life of purpose, peace, and joy. So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a rocking chair, and stay awhile—I’d be honored to walk this road of faith with you.
When I woke up this morning, I was thinking about how I am in a rush from the moment I wake up, until the moment I lay back down at night to go to sleep. I am not sure why I am in a rush, because I woke up in plenty of time to do whatever I wanted to do. It’s just a mentality that I seem to get stuck in and I have noticed that it robs me of the simple pleasures that God has placed all around me.
When I rush, I miss getting to sit and have a meaningful conversation with Him. When I rush, I fail to enjoy the flavor of the special flavored coffee that I am drinking. When I rush, I don’t savor the smell of hot biscuits cooking and waiting on a slather of butter. When I rush, I miss the things that can tickle me from the inside out. When I rush I miss life as God intends for me to live and enjoy it!
This morning I am trying to slow down, move on purpose and enjoy the moments that God has given me, one moment at a time! He loves us and out of His amazing love come beautiful and wonderful moments for all of us to be blessed by! Slow down and enjoy the coffee, biscuit or whatever it is that God has given you to enjoy!
What an incredible and amazing day! Thank you so much to all of the volunteers that help to make Grace Place the very special place of ministry that it is to so many. We were able to serve another 30 families today. And each one was a blessing beyond words!
When I first walked back in from running an errand. I found all of the volunteers in a circle with one of our shoppers, they had just finished praying for and with her! Everyone had tears in their eyes and it was plain to see that they were filled with the Spirit! I knew this was going to be a very different day filled with exciting, fun and meaningful ministry!
One person after another came in and encountered our wonderful volunteers and the beautiful gift of God’s grace began to be unfolded and spread out for all to enjoy! At the end of day we saw many people and had the opportunity to bless and be blessed!
I hope some of our volunteers will share some of their stories of how they were able to bless and be blessed in the days ahead! It is a ministry to people by people and all for the glory of God!
I try to walk out of my pain by walking into the pain of another,
but the pain changes into hope and with the hope comes purpose!
I give until I think I can’t give anymore and then I discover an
abundant supply of more than enough and then some!
Just when I think I have this thing figured out,
something comes along to show me that I am not even close!
I keep living, giving and trying to make a difference,
only to discover that nothing is what I think!
This is why I must trust, have faith in ONE greater
than myself, what I know and what I don’t know!
The stuff of my wishes, the proof of what I can’t see,
It’s all real and life makes it so!
Michael Joe Harvell 